CLEVELAND, Ohio: Talking to myself about all the recent quarterback moves:
QUESTION: Where to start? How about the Russell Wilson trade between Seattle and Denver?
ANSWER: This story is aimed at Browns fans, so there’s not much to say about that.
Q: Why?
A: The big fact missed by many in the media is Russell Wilson’s no-trade clause.
Q: So he didn’t want to go to Cleveland?
A: Probably not. In fact, he didn’t want to go to a lot of places.
Q: How do you know that?
A: Consider this from Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times: “While Seattle got multiple offers for Wilson — including one reported last week from Washington — Denver was the only team of those that made offers that Wilson agreed to waive his no-trade clause for. In fact, a report from The Washington Post Tuesday stated the Commanders offered Seattle three first-round picks. But Wilson apparently would not waive his no-trade clause to go to Washington. Reports Tuesday night also stated that the Eagles tried to trade for Wilson but that Wilson would not waive his no-trade clause to go to Philly.”
Q: So Cleveland wasn’t in the mix...
A: Supposedly, Wilson made it known he wanted to go to Denver. Just as in the end, Aaron Rodgers really didn’t want to leave Green Bay. He just wanted lots of money and more influence on player moves. Rodgers apparently received that with his new 4-year, $200 million deal.
Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers talks to Seattle Seahawks' Russell Wilson after an NFL divisional playoff football game.AP
Q: You think the Browns tried to deal for Carson Wentz?
A: I doubt it. I’d also prefer to gamble on a strong comeback from a healthy Baker Mayfield than Wentz.
Q: Really?
A: A year ago, Philadelphia shipped Wentz to the Colts for what became a 2022 first-round pick and a 2021 third-round pick.
Q: Then what happened?
A: According to Zak Keefer of the Athletic: “(The Colts) were finished with the Wentz experiment long before the team’s late-season collapse, according to several recent conversations with sources inside the organization. Consecutive losses to Las Vegas and Jacksonville in Weeks 17 and 18 — punctuated by poor play from the starting quarterback — cost the team a 97 percent shot at the playoffs and led to owner Jim Irsay calling it ‘an epic shortfall that stunned and shocked and appalled us all.’”
Q: The Colts then traded him to Washington, right?
A: This week, the Colts traded Wentz and a second-round (47th) draft pick to Washington for picks 42 and 73 (third round). The Colts also received Washington’s 2023 third-round pick which can become a second-rounder if Wentz plays 70 percent of the snaps in 2022. Washington will take on Wentz’s $28 million salary. In other words, his trade value collapsed.
Q: Who plays QB for the Colts?
A: Right now, the only QBs on their roster are Sam Ehlinger and James Morgan – neither have taken a snap in a regular-season game.
Q: So they are shopping?
A: Maybe they will go for Mitchell Trubisky, Andy Dalton, Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston – all free agents.
He'd make a great backup for the Browns. AP
Q: What about Teddy Bridgewater?
A: They can’t have him! I want the Browns to sign Bridgewater as a replacement for backup Case Keenum.
Q: Do you think they’ll cut Keenum?
A: I like him, but obviously the Browns didn’t trust him enough to start him in games where Mayfield was obviously not effective. I also think Bridgewater is better.
Q: How about a trade for Derek Carr?
A: Josh McDaniels was hired as the new coach in Las Vegas. He is praising Carr. McDaniels has to have a good year and Carr gives him a chance to make that happen. What? Trade Carr for Mayfield and other stuff? I wouldn’t do that coming into a new job as is the case with McDaniels. Carr led Las Vegas to the playoffs.
Q: So you think Baker will be back?
A: The problem with saying “Get rid of Baker,” is you need a replacement. A good replacement. The reason all the QBs (other than Wilson) being traded or becoming free agents is they have significant weaknesses. It’s why keeping Baker and making sure he’s healthy for 2022 is the best move for the Browns.
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